Compound tooth-brush.



IINITE KENKICI-II KIMURA, 0F SAIKAMACHI, JAPAN.

COMPOUND TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ,nity io, mit.

Application led July 15, 1916. Serial No. 109,495.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, KENKICHI KIMURA, a subject of the Emperor of Japan, residing at Saikamachi, in the Empire of Japan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compound Tooth-Brushesg and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates particularly to a novel form of protector for tooth brushes, and to a combination thereof with two brushes of ordinary construction in such a manner as to produce la compound or double ended tooth brush capable of being folded up for traveling. When so folded the bristles of both ends are kept clean and are protected from all damage by the protector parts. At the same sime the whole device is reduced to a small and convenient compass.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows, in perspective, the double ended tooth brush extended for use, Fig. 2 shows a similar view of the same telescoped for packing, Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the coperating protecting sockets, and Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of one of said sockets showing a modified form adapted to secure rapid adjustment of the socket upon the brush handle.

In carrying out my invention the extremity of the handle of each of two ordinary brushes is furnished with a suitable protective socket; and these sockets are so constructed that one can be slid into the other when the brush is extended, or, on the other hand, the sockets can be pushed apart so as tobring the two handles parallel, thus sliding the bristles of each brush endwise into the socket on the other.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I provide two channel shaped sockets for protecting casings 10 and 11. These may be given a variety of forms, those shown being merely preferential and illustrated by way of example. In any case one of these, 10, should be formed to slide into or out of the other socket 11, so as to it snugly therein. As shown I prefer to leave one socket or casing as 10, entirely open on one edge, save for the bent in securing tips or projections 10", while the socket 11 has turned in lips 12 whose edges do not meet, but form a slot. This construction causes a snugger and firmer union when the sockets are brought together, and at the same time makes it easy to clean the sockets.

The socket 10, on its closed narrow side, is provided with a sleeve or cylindrical part 13, and a similar part 14 forms a part of the socket 11. The sleeve 13 fits the end of a toothbrush handle 15, in such a manner as to permit the handle to be revolved upon its axis within it. In the same way the sleeve 14 is fitted upon the end of a second handle 16.

In order the better to secure the handles to their sockets I prefer to form a widening taper on the end of each handle, as at 17 in Fig. 5, and to have the end of each sleeve slotted so as to permit it to spring over the widened tip when it is thrust into place, afterward closing down behind it. This makes it necessary to exert an appreciable degree of force in order to remove the handle from the socket, thereby preventing accidental separation.

The two brushes are preferable given different shapes as shown in Fig. `41. This figure shows the compound brush ready for use, either in the relative positions shown in unbroken lines or in those indicated in dotted lines. The joined sockets form a handle in the middle of the brush.

When packed for a traveling bag or otherwise disposed of when not in use, the sockets are slipped apart, and the brushes are brought into the positions shown in Fig. 2. Here each socket forms a bristle-protecting casing for the other brush, and the two brushes occupy a compact space.

What I claim is- In a device of the character set forth, two channel-shaped casings adapted to slide the one within the other and provided with longitudinal sleeves disposed on opposed edges ofl said casings, and two tooth-brushes whose handles lit said sleeves respectively and project therefrom in opposite directions, said casings being shaped to fit over and protect the bristle ends of said brushes.

In testimony whereof I hereto aiix my signature.

KENKICI-II KIMURA.

topics of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Batents, Washington, D. G. 

